Lowest-paying jobs in Rockford

Stacker
#50. Substitute teachers, short-term

- Median annual wage: $35,610
- Median hourly wage: $17.12
- Total employment: 230 people (1.62 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#49. Laundry and dry-cleaning workers

- Median annual wage: $35,590
- Median hourly wage: $17.11
- Total employment: 300 people (2.16 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#48. Food processing workers, all other

- Median annual wage: $35,440
- Median hourly wage: $17.04
- Total employment: 40 people (0.28 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#46. Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners (tie)

- Median annual wage: $35,430
- Median hourly wage: $17.03
- Total employment: 2,190 people (15.74 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#46. Tire repairers and changers (tie)

- Median annual wage: $35,430
- Median hourly wage: $17.04
- Total employment: 100 people (0.69 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#45. Stockers and order fillers

- Median annual wage: $35,420
- Median hourly wage: $17.03
- Total employment: 3,590 people (25.8 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#44. Butchers and meat cutters

- Median annual wage: $35,310
- Median hourly wage: $16.98
- Total employment: 210 people (1.49 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#43. Photographers

- Median annual wage: $35,140
- Median hourly wage: $16.90
- Total employment: 40 people (0.27 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#42. Cooks, short order

- Median annual wage: $35,090
- Median hourly wage: $16.87
- Total employment: 50 people (0.34 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#41. Floral designers

- Median annual wage: $34,550
- Median hourly wage: $16.61
- Total employment: 30 people (0.22 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#40. Cooks, restaurant

- Median annual wage: $34,340
- Median hourly wage: $16.51
- Total employment: 1,260 people (9.07 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#39. Packers and packagers, hand

- Median annual wage: $34,100
- Median hourly wage: $16.40
- Total employment: 870 people (6.22 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#38. Bakers

- Median annual wage: $34,040
- Median hourly wage: $16.36
- Total employment: 230 people (1.68 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#37. Home health and personal care aides

- Median annual wage: $33,770
- Median hourly wage: $16.23
- Total employment: 2,750 people (19.71 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#36. Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks

- Median annual wage: $33,420
- Median hourly wage: $16.07
- Total employment: 140 people (1.01 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#35. School bus monitors

- Median annual wage: $32,950
- Median hourly wage: $15.84
- Total employment: 130 people (0.91 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#33. Automotive and watercraft service attendants (tie)

- Median annual wage: $32,900
- Median hourly wage: $15.82
- Total employment: 40 people (0.28 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#33. Driver/sales workers (tie)

- Median annual wage: $32,900
- Median hourly wage: $15.82
- Total employment: 500 people (3.59 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#32. Parking attendants

- Median annual wage: $32,500
- Median hourly wage: $15.63
- Total employment: 60 people (0.43 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#31. Retail salespersons

- Median annual wage: $32,150
- Median hourly wage: $15.46
- Total employment: 3,180 people (22.84 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#29. Cleaners of vehicles and equipment (tie)

- Median annual wage: $32,070
- Median hourly wage: $15.42
- Total employment: 270 people (1.96 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#29. Cooks, institution and cafeteria (tie)

- Median annual wage: $32,070
- Median hourly wage: $15.42
- Total employment: 690 people (4.96 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#28. Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists

- Median annual wage: $31,900
- Median hourly wage: $15.34
- Total employment: 120 people (0.87 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#27. Coaches and scouts

- Median annual wage: $31,660
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 320 people (2.3 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#26. Shuttle drivers and chauffeurs

- Median annual wage: $31,580
- Median hourly wage: $15.18
- Total employment: 140 people (0.98 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#25. Maids and housekeeping cleaners

- Median annual wage: $31,520
- Median hourly wage: $15.15
- Total employment: 470 people (3.37 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#24. Library assistants, clerical

- Median annual wage: $31,480
- Median hourly wage: $15.13
- Total employment: 110 people (0.82 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#23. Food preparation workers

- Median annual wage: $31,280
- Median hourly wage: $15.04
- Total employment: 540 people (3.86 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#22. Recreation workers

- Median annual wage: $31,270
- Median hourly wage: $15.03
- Total employment: 220 people (1.61 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#21. Lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers

- Median annual wage: $31,200
- Median hourly wage: $15.00
- Total employment: 140 people (0.98 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#20. Office and administrative support workers, all other

- Median annual wage: $31,060
- Median hourly wage: $14.93
- Total employment: 130 people (0.9 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#19. Food servers, nonrestaurant

- Median annual wage: $30,770
- Median hourly wage: $14.79
- Total employment: 440 people (3.19 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#18. Fast food and counter workers

- Median annual wage: $30,340
- Median hourly wage: $14.59
- Total employment: 4,190 people (30.08 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#17. Dishwashers

- Median annual wage: $30,260
- Median hourly wage: $14.55
- Total employment: 290 people (2.1 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#16. Cashiers

- Median annual wage: $30,250
- Median hourly wage: $14.54
- Total employment: 3,340 people (24.0 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#15. Teaching assistants, except postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $30,220
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 1,370 people (9.85 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#14. Animal caretakers

- Median annual wage: $30,210
- Median hourly wage: $14.52
- Total employment: 230 people (1.65 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#13. Childcare workers

- Median annual wage: $30,190
- Median hourly wage: $14.51
- Total employment: 420 people (3.01 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#12. Amusement and recreation attendants

- Median annual wage: $29,840
- Median hourly wage: $14.35
- Total employment: 190 people (1.38 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#11. Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop

- Median annual wage: $29,660
- Median hourly wage: $14.26
- Total employment: 280 people (1.99 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#10. Tour and travel guides

- Median annual wage: $29,520
- Median hourly wage: $14.19
- Total employment: 50 people (0.36 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#9. Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse

- Median annual wage: $29,380
- Median hourly wage: $14.12
- Total employment: 40 people (0.26 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#8. Cooks, fast food

- Median annual wage: $29,360
- Median hourly wage: $14.12
- Total employment: 430 people (3.08 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#7. Tutors

- Median annual wage: $29,210
- Median hourly wage: $14.04
- Total employment: 150 people (1.09 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#1. Food preparation and serving related workers, all other (tie)

- Median annual wage: $29,120
- Median hourly wage: $14.00
- Total employment: 60 people (0.42 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#1. Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers (tie)

- Median annual wage: $29,120
- Median hourly wage: $14.00
- Total employment: 330 people (2.38 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#1. Library technicians (tie)

- Median annual wage: $29,120
- Median hourly wage: $14.00
- Total employment: 70 people (0.5 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#1. Bartenders (tie)

- Median annual wage: $29,120
- Median hourly wage: $14.00
- Total employment: 1,060 people (7.57 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#1. Gambling dealers (tie)

- Median annual wage: $29,120
- Median hourly wage: $14.00
- Total employment: 90 people (0.67 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#1. Waiters and waitresses (tie)

- Median annual wage: $29,120
- Median hourly wage: $14.00
- Total employment: 1,820 people (13.08 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Jill Jaracz, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 364 metros.

Jacob Lund // Shutterstock